Indonesia To Boost Coal Output As Oil Prices Surge

JAKARTA, March 20 (Bernama) -- Indonesia plans to increase coal production in response to rising global oil prices, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said.

Social Media Sparks Rapid Growth In Malaysia’s “Durian Tourism”

KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 (Bernama) — Malaysia has seen a growing “durian tourism” trend, with international visitors, particularly those from China, increasingly building short breaks and day trips around peak durian seasons and well-known producing areas, which appeal is both culinary and experiential.

IMF Warns Prolonged Energy Price Surge Could Lift Inflation

ISTANBUL, March 20 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Thursday that a sustained rise in energy prices stemming from the war in West Asia could push global inflation higher and weigh on economic output.

Iran Action May Send Oil To US$120 A Barrel, Asia To Bear The Brunt -- Rystad Energy

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Oil prices could hit US$120 (US$1=RM3.93) per barrel if Iranian authorities act on their implied threat to strike on five facilities across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, with Asia bearing the brunt given its dependence on Qatari volumes, according to an analyst.

Ringgit Eases Against Greenback After US Fed Keeps Interest Rates Unchanged

By Danni Haizal Danial Donald

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- The ringgit eased against the US dollar at Thursday’s close following the United States Federal Reserve’s (Fed) decision to keep interest rates unchanged, providing support to the greenback.

Asian Shares Plunge As Iran Conflict Worsens

BEIJING, March 19 (Bernama-dpa-AFX) -- Asian stocks nosedived on Thursday as rising oil prices following attacks on key energy infrastructure in West Asia rekindled concerns about inflation, interest rates, and the regional growth outlook, reported dpa-AFX.

Bursa Malaysia Ends Lower Due To Late Selling, Tracking Regional Weakness

By Durratul Ain Ahmad Fuad

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended lower today due to late selling in selected heavyweights, particularly in the healthcare, utilities and financial services sectors and was also in sync with regional market weakness.

PAAB Establishes Malaysia’s First Sustainable Islamic Finance Framework With Blue Finance Elements

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB) has established Malaysia’s first sustainable Islamic finance framework that incorporates blue finance elements, with Maybank Investment Bank Bhd (Maybank IB) serving as the sole sustainability structuring adviser.

Abaxx Singapore Joins SBMA, Boosts Physical Gold Trading

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Abaxx Technologies Inc (Abaxx), a financial software and market infrastructure company, announced its subsidiary, Abaxx Singapore Pte Ltd (Abaxx Singapore), has been accepted as a Local Associate Member of the Singapore Bullion Market Association (SBMA).

Malaysia’s Inflation Modestly Up 1.4 Pct In Feb 2026 -- DOSM

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s inflation rose modestly to 1.4 per cent in February 2026, with the consumer price index (CPI) climbing to 136.0 from 134.1 a year earlier, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) said.

GWI: Middle East Desalination Holds Despite Conflict

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Global Water Intelligence (GWI) DesalData, a global desalination and water reuse market intelligence platform, projected that the Middle East's desalination project pipeline will remain largely intact despite the ongoing regional conflict involving Iran.

MAHB Records 8.9 Mln Passenger Movements In February 2026, Up 5.8 Pct Y-o-y

SEPANG, March 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airports (MAHB) recorded 8.9 million passenger movements in February 2026, bringing the year-to-date total to 18.3 million passengers for the first two months of the year.